Pollucite — Collector’s Vault

Species: Pollucite (cesium-bearing pegmatite mineral; cesium aluminosilicate hydrate)
Weight: 1.00 carat
Measurements: 6.97 × 5.10 × 3.65 mm
Cut: Rectangular step cut
Color: Colorless to very pale
Clarity: Included (visible internal features typical of faceted pollucite)
Treatment: None
Condition and Optics

This rectangular step cut emphasizes transparency and internal structure rather than brilliance. Broad step facets make internal veils and stress features clearly visible, which is characteristic of faceted pollucite and expected at this size. Face-up appearance is calm and glassy, with restrained light return rather than sparkle. The cut prioritizes stability and material retention over optical performance.

Geological Context

Pollucite is a cesium-rich mineral that forms in granitic pegmatites, where crystals grow in chemically specialized pockets during late-stage igneous processes. Facetable material is uncommon, as pollucite is more frequently encountered as mineral specimens or industrial cesium ore rather than gem rough. When cut, it is typically acquired by collectors seeking rare mineral species rather than conventional jewelry stones.

Rarity

Pollucite is an uncommon cesium-bearing mineral that is seldom encountered in faceted form. While it is mineralogically significant as the primary ore of cesium, the overwhelming majority of pollucite occurs as opaque, fractured, or industrial-grade material unsuitable for cutting. Transparent crystals of sufficient size and stability to facet are rare, and a high proportion fail during cutting due to inherent brittleness and cleavage.

As a result, faceted pollucite occupies a narrow and specialized collector market. Availability is irregular and dependent on sporadic recovery from chemically extreme granitic pegmatites rather than ongoing commercial production. Stones of this size with usable transparency and coherent geometry are not routinely replaceable and typically circulate through collector and specialty mineral channels rather than mainstream gemstone trade.

Wear Considerations

Pollucite has a hardness of approximately Mohs 6.5 and is not suited for daily-wear rings. If set, it performs best in protected designs such as bezels or deeply seated mounts, or in lower-impact wear categories like pendants. This stone is offered first and foremost as a collector specimen.

Price

$145 USD

Pollucite does not have a standardized retail price guide. Faceted material trades within a thin collector market where value is driven by size, cut integrity, transparency, and availability rather than brilliance or durability. Pricing for this stone reflects its natural untreated condition, one-carat size, and the limited availability of facetable pollucite, while acknowledging internal features emphasized by the step cut. It is positioned for a collector buyer rather than mass-market jewelry use.